Wonderful Wednesday - A Winner & A Card

Hello & Happy Wednesday. 

I'm here to get you over the mid week hump with some inspiration and the winner of the August Release Blog Hop.

First up my card...

My card was inspired by being out in the garden this morning doing the outside jobs before we go on holiday, like mow the lawns, dead head the flowers in the baskets and sort the chickens too. 

I've not inked up the Layering Picked Posies for a bit, so I thought it would be nice to use for this quick, clean and simple card. 

I recorded a YouTube Short of me making the card, you can watch it HERE. 

I used random.org to select a lucky comment and the winner is...

Melissa Leftrick

Awesome cards!!!

Congratulations Melissa! Please send an email to bev@uniko.co.uk to claim your £25 eGift Code. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment and hop along with us.

Before I go, a little friendly reminder.

Crafty Hugs

Amazing Layering Bauhaus Blocks Stencil

Happy Thursday.

What a scorcher for The Beans sports day today, so proud of them for doing their best, supporting each other when they were in the same race, supporting their friends and fellow key stage 2 students. It was a lovely morning spent.

After I got home I decided to ink up the Layering Bauhaus Blocks Stencil, because it simply wouldn't be a masculine month of inspiration if this didn't get used.

I've got into the habit to record my card making and I have shared a YouTube Short HERE of the process. Twenty four minutes reduced to 60 seconds! 

I chose a random colour combo of Blueberry, Oceanside and Lemongrass to ink the three layers of the stencil. It can be a bit of a lengthy process, especially if like me you fill the card. But I quite like how relaxing it is.

Originally I only had the one card in mind, with the panel trimmed into a triangle and adhered using foam tape. But when I trimmed the panel I instantly thought the offcuts were too good to go to waste. So I simply adhered them to another card base.

My sentiment choice is from Everyday Sentiments.

Crafty Hugs

Introducing... Stencil - Layering Spring Blossom

Happy Weekend.

Welcome to the final product introduction for the April 2025 Release. Today we have another layering stencil, I told you I was obsessed! 

This stencil is a three layer stencil called Layering Spring Blossom and the flower shaper coordinates with yesterday's product, Originally Organic Flower Garden clear stamp set. Though it can be used wonderfully on its own too. 

Let's have a look at the stencil in action...

Anita

Bev

Izzy

Julie

Steph

Vinita

More pretty flowers to make me happy. I love seeing how the Brand Ambassadors are inspired to use the products. They so often think of things I don't! 

Be sure to hop along and leave some comment love along the way, we appreciate them. 

This stencil, along with all the products that have been introduced this week are available tomorrow at 9am BST Sunday 27th April on the website. I will also have them with me at Crafterama Lincoln. Plus, we will have our traditional Release Day Brand Ambassador Blog Hop & Giveaway.

Happy Hopping & Crafty Hugs

Introducing... Stencil - Layering Flower Fusion

 Hello & Happy Wednesday.

Welcome to day 2 of the April 2025 product introductions. If you missed the sneak peeks or day 1 introduction, you can catch up HERE and HERE.

I've been on a layering stencil kick recently and totally in floral mode too. I dug through some of my archives and came across some florals I had yet to use, so came up with two floral layering stencils. 

Todays Layering Flower Fusion is a fun 4 layer stencil, which I think you can have a lot of inky fun with. Let's have a look at it in action...

 Anita

Bev

Izzy

Julie

Steph

Vinita

I love all the cheerful colours the Brand Ambassadors have used and the various techniques. Although to me this stencil instantly screams spring and summer, I think it will work all year round. Again, be sure to hop along to see the inspiration from the team and leave some comment love.

This stencil, along with all the products being introduced this week are available at 9am BST Sunday 27th April on the website. I will also have them with me at Crafterama Lincoln. 

Happy Hopping & Crafty Hugs

April 2025 Release Sneak Peeks

Hello & Happy Monday! 

I'm starting the week the best way with five sneak peeks, as we begin the countdown to the April Release. I've had these under wraps for so long I'm SO ready to share them with you! 

So let's take a look...

First up a new addition to the Serenade series, this one is thanks to Izzy, who made a card HERE during the February Release and I just had to get designing. If you loved the Uniko Papercraft Society Box, I think you'll love this. 

Next up, how about another layering stencil and this time a fabulous floral that will be wonderful all year round. 

Next up I have another stencil and a fabulous new spin on a FLIPPIN' awesome style! 

Next up is another clear stamp set and you might recognise my signature organic drawing style.

And lastly for this release I have another beautiful layering stencil.

That wraps up the peeks and I am sure there will be something for everyone. I do hope you will find time to join myself and the Uniko Brand Ambassadors from tomorrow as we start the introductions.

All these products will be available at 9am BST Sunday 27th April 2025 and at Crafterama Lincoln! 

Crafty Hugs

Welcome Spring!

Hello 😃

Happy Spring to those of you in the Northern Hemisphere 🌷 It's such a delight to finally have the sunshine here, although still chilly on a morning and when it goes it, it really does help lift the mood. Even more so when today is also International Day of Happiness.

With it being a day of happiness I had to do things that make me happy. First up was making trio of cards using the Stencil - Layering Picked Posies that have been on my creative mind all week. 

Although this layering stencil is perfect all year round, it was screaming for spring colours. And of course I went for my usual colour palette that really makes me happy.

First up I went for a fun square layout using square die cuts. I made a similar card over on the Seven Hills Crafts blog today using this layout.

This partial inking on the squares is a fun way to use the flowers only and I left a space without the square to stamp my sentiment from Everyday Spring Sentiments.

Next up it was only right that I used all four layers for a focal point panel. This time I added in a little purple for the smaller flowers, of which I simply used the ink left on the blending brush for a softer look.

I adhered the stencilled panel onto my card base using double sided tape, leaving me to add the sentiment strip using foam adhesive. Again my sentiment is from the Everyday Spring Sentiments.

Lastly for today I wanted to use the full bloom on its own as a single flower. I used some simple masking to ink the leaves I wanted. 

I chose to have a little more dimension on this card by adhering the flower using foam adhesive and again, another of the sentiment choices from the Everyday Spring Sentiments.

Which layout do you like best?

I can't choose a favourite today as I had so much fun inking and making. 

As today is International Day Of Happiness and I know we can all do with a bit more happiness, so I have a HAPPY10 discount code over on the website today until 9am tomorrow 21st March 2025. No code necessary.

Crafty Hugs

March Meet The Maker - Tools & Materials

Happy FriYAY! 

Today on March Meet The Maker it's all about tools and materials. Here at Uniko HQ the tools and materials vary depending on what I am doing business wise.

Let's start with a little behind the scenes at the tools I use to design Uniko products. 

Sometimes I dust off my sketchbook and gather my pens and pencils, going back to my design degree roots and draw my designs first.

I then take all my designs onto the computer and digitise them ready to send to my manufacturers to either turn into stamps, stencils and occasionally designer dies.

Most times these days now that I am a little more proficient in Adobe Illustrator I go straight to designing digitally. I use my iPad and Apple Pencil to do this and I use a cool app which shows what I am doing on my large screen at the same time. 

I often have a stack of design books I am using for reference on my windowsill, I do love a browse in a book to find that spark of creative inspiration.

Next comes the tools and materials I use when I am crafting and showing how the products I design can be used. Here are a few of my 'go to' supplies. 

Of course there will be Uniko Clear Stamps and Uniko Stencils on my usually chaotic desk. Yes, I gave it a tidy to take photos 😂

Then there will be inks, my current favourite are Concord & 9th, white card stock from Stampin' Up! then there are ink blending brushes, my trusty MISTI stamping platform and my Tim Holtz Tonic Studios paper trimmer. 

Of course there are LOTS of other things I use, my VERY old Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine, makers, pencils, tapes, glues and embellishments. The list goes on, and on, and on! 

Today I have selected a rainbow of colours to ink up the Uniko Stencil - Layering Organic Blooms, here's how it turned out.

I used just two of the stencil layers from the set, the leaves and the flowers, inking each layer with the rainbow of colours. 

I used Poppy, Marmalade, Buttercup, Parsley, Oceanside, Blueberry, Fig and a little smidge of Honeysuckle. 

Once I'd inked up the layers I decided it needed a little more detail, so I opted to stamp the coordinating flowers from the Organic Blooms clear stamp set in black ink. The sentiment I used is also from the stamp set, which I adhered using foam tape, with a few enamel dots finishing my card.

As you know I can't choose a favourite colour, why choose one when you can have them all, right?! But the other reason is that this month the challenge over in the Uniko VIP Facebook group is all about rainbows.

The group is private over on Facebook, a nice friendly space to share all of your Uniko makes. Follow the link HERE to request to join and also join in on the rainbow fun this month. There is a £10 eGift code up for grabs. 

Crafty Hugs

March Meet The Maker - Behind The Scenes

Happy FriYAY! 

Today with March Meet The Maker, it is all about Behind The Scenes. This reminded me of a feature I did for Simply Cards & Papercrafts Magazine, which I didn't think was that long ago until I actually found it! 

It might have been almost 7 years ago, as The Beans were still at nursery and they are now almost at the end of primary school. And the studio has changed a little to accommodate my husband again after The Beans decided they wanted separate bedrooms. 

But I thought it would be fun to share. If you click on the picture it should be big enough for you to read! 

My now, a day in the life at Uniko...

9am - 10:30 ish

At the start of my day is a little bit of admin. Emails, responding to enquiries and sending any such as product restock requests. On Monday's I update the website with a new Card Of The Week. I then look at the website to see what orders have come in overnight and I get to packing those. 

10:30 -12:30 ish 

I get to creating something new to share on the Uniko blog and, or social media for the day. Sometimes I am really organised and I am creating in advance!

When I am organised with new makes to share, I am able to use this time to get designing new clear stamp sets and stencil designs.

12:30 - 13:30 ish

I take a break, have lunch and do a couple of jobs around the house. It's usually gathering washing, pots and tidying up after The Beans! 

 

13:30 -15:30 ish

This is when I finish up anything I was doing pre lunch and then I check to see if anymore orders have come in before I walk out to the Post Office (rain or shine) to drop them off. 

I enjoy my walk out to the Post Office, its nice to get some fresh air and it's also the time I use to clear my head and I often come up with new card ideas and sometimes new product ideas! 

15:30 - 16:30 ish

This last hour often is catching up on social media, posting and commenting. The Beans are back from school at this time, so depending on how much I am demand, depends on what I can get done before I am fully present with family and home life.

And of course, my day never runs as smoothly or as organised as this! 

It wouldn't be a normal day if I didn't share a card, this is what I made for today.

Sorry, not sorry! 

It's more Stencil - Layering Bright Butterflies. I just can't resist inking them up at the moment and they've added cheer to a dull day here in the NE of the UK. 

I used Concord & 9th inks today in Pink Lemonade & Carnation, Buttercup & Sunflower, Grapefruit & Sorbet, Sprout & Parsley and Oceanside & Peacock. My sentiment choice today is one from Spring Botanicals Primrose.

That's all I have today. I'd love to know what you would like to see more of from Uniko behind the scenes and or creativity from me.

I'll be back tomorrow with more to share and winners from last months celebrations.

Crafty Hugs

March Meet The Maker - Meet Me - Bev Brown AKA Uniko.

Happy Monday 😃

Today is day 1 of March Meet The Maker 2025 and having followed for quite a few years from the side lines, I dipped my toes in once but couldn't keep up! I decided this was the year to commit and join in on the fun. 

Especially as March is looking quieter compared to January and February. Plus, with all the celebrations last month, I gained quite a few new followers. So this is a good opportunity for me to tell you more about Uniko.

Today is Brand Re-Introduction. 

So I've called it, Meet Me.

Hello I’m Bev and I am Uniko 😃

I design all the products and lovingly package and check them for any imperfections. Providing you, my lovely customers with top quality, unique and innovative products is my aim. I am pleased to say it is very rare a faulty stamp passes my eagle eyes! 

And I do a happy dance every time I’m packing a wonderful order and my heart bursts with joy when a customer tags me @unikoltd when they share a card or creation using Uniko products ♥️

If you message, phone or send an email to Uniko, it’s me on the other end of the line. I am always happy to help and do my best to answer as quickly as possible. If it’s technical related and I don’t know the answer, I have to contact my tech support. AKA as husband 😂 He works full time & so I often have to wait until he’s not busy for his help! Other than him, it’s just me here. 

However, I am honoured to have a wonderful team of Brand Ambassadors…

Anita @craftyneet 

Izzy @izzyscrap 

Steph @morticraft 

Julie @sportyjules56 

Vinita @craft_craver 

These beauties help me on the blog and across social with amazing creative inspiration 🥰

AND I can’t forget to mention Claire @earlybirdstamps who has been by my side at all the craft shows I take Uniko too since the very first one ♥️

I know not everyone is on social media to be able to tag/share their makes with me. So why not snap a photo and email me instead. The beauty above is by Ruth @ruthgetscrafty on Instagram.

Before I get to todays card, how about 5 things about me you might not know… 

1. I love colour and I have an ink pad addiction 😂
2. My favourite number is 3 
3. I love cats 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 Jelly (almost 4) and Cali (almost 1) are my fur babies. 
4. Chocolate is my weakness, especially Salted Caramel M&Ms and Brownie M&Ms 😋
5. When I’m not crafting or on mum duties to my twin boys you might find me reading a good book. I like mystery, crime, thriller and psychological thrillers 📚

It wouldn't be a Uniko post without some inspiration, so here's what I made today. 

I've had this stencilled Layering Bright Butterfly fluttering around my desk since I inked it some time last week! So it was calling to be adhered to a card. 

With little time to create before the light of the day faded I put together this really CAS card. I think it took me longer to find the Floral Vines clear stamp set to be able to stamp the sentiment I wanted, than it did to put the card together! 

Thank you again for all the wonderful release day orders on Friday and over the weekend. You are all awesome.

Welcome to Uniko if you are new around here 😃 

Crafty Hugs